Crew tops New York 3-1 in MLS Reserve League

MONTCLAIR, NJ (July 2, 2012) - The New York Red Bulls Reserves fell to the Columbus Crew Reserves, 3-1, on Monday morning at Montclair State University Soccer Park at Pittser Field in Montclair, NJ.

During the first half, the Crew applied pressure to the Red Bulls defense and the first goal came in the 34th minute. An open Jairo Arrieta dribbled into the box, after receiving a layoff from Cole Grossman, and fired a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Jeremy Vuolo and found the bottom corner of the net.

The Black & Gold continued its strong start in the second half with another goal in the 59th minute by Olman Vargas. Justin Meram was free on the right side of the field and cut to his left foot, before finding Vargas, who tucked it home to double the Crew’s lead.

But the Red Bulls responded in kind with a goal in the 67th minute off of a free kick by Mehdi Ballouchy. Ballouchy’s in-swinger from the left wing evaded every player, including Crew goalkeeper Matt Lampson, and nestled into the net.

Columbus though, added another goal, solidifying its lead to 3-1, in the 77th minute with a Meram header off a cross from the left wing by Ben Speas. The Red Bulls came close to closing the gap with a one-time shot by Ballouchy in the 81st minute, but the ball zipped just by the right post.

The Crew (5-2-0, 15 pts.), strengthens its lead atop the Eastern Division of the Reserve League and will face D.C. United on Sunday, July 22, at 10:15 a.m. at the Crew Training Center at Obetz (4153 Alum Creek Dr., Obetz, OH, 43207), while the Red Bulls (1-2-1, 4 pts.) travel to Foxborough, Mass. for a tilt against the New England Revolution on Sunday, July 8 at 9:30 p.m.